Direct proof of use
HOT missile use in the 1990 Gulf War is documented in French Operation Daguet material. A Division Daguet VAB HOT page states that the weapon system fired about sixty HOT missiles during Operation Desert Storm in February 1991, and identifies the 1er Regiment de Spahis and 1er Regiment Etranger de Cavalerie as each having twelve VAB HOT vehicles in the field.
French Army Light Aviation history records that ten SA342 Gazelle HOT helicopters were embarked as Daguet reinforcements in late December 1990. The same ALAT account gives the airmobile group balance as 328 HOT missiles fired, 127 objectives destroyed, and 27 squadron attacks during the campaign.
Sources: Operation Daguet VAB HOT, ALAT Daguet History
Timeline
On 29 December 1990, the French ship Foudre embarked Daguet reinforcements at Toulon, including ten SA342 Gazelle HOT helicopters from the 2e RHC and elements from the 1er and 3e RHC. The coalition air campaign began on 17 January 1991, and the French ground operation began on 24 February.
During the late-February ground phase, Division Daguet advanced into Iraq toward objectives including Rochambeau and the As-Salman area. ALAT testimony from a Gazelle command aircraft describes Gazelle HOT formations opening fire near the Natchez line on the axis toward As-Salman.
Sources: ALAT Daguet History, ALAT Daguet HOT Testimony
Narrative
In French service during Operation Daguet, HOT appeared in both ground and helicopter anti-armor roles. The VAB HOT/MEPHISTO carried a retractable firing module with four ready missiles and eight more in the vehicle, and the Daguet VAB HOT account says the 1er REC's vehicles fired against Iraqi entrenchments at As-Salman air base.
The helicopter evidence points to a larger airmobile use pattern. ALAT's Daguet history says the airmobile group fired 328 HOT missiles and destroyed targets including tanks, armored vehicles, troop transports, artillery pieces, and strongpoints. A separate ALAT witness account describes mixed Gazelle HOT and cannon formations, with HOT missiles fired in salvos while French armor and VABs advanced toward their objectives.
The sources identify the user as French forces within the coalition side of the 1990 Gulf War. They support combat use during the February 1991 ground campaign, but they do not provide a missile-by-missile target list or distinguish every fired missile by HOT variant.
Sources: Operation Daguet VAB HOT, ALAT Daguet History, ALAT Daguet HOT Testimony
